WASHINGTON STATE -- Local state parks are looking for new ways to generate cash now that Washington is expecting its parks system to be self-sufficient by next year.

Birch Bay State Park manager Ted Morris says they haven't received any tax funding as of last July, and in February they had to shed some full-time positions.

He says they've dealt with the loss of funding by cutting back on maintenance projects.



Morris says this summer will be a test for state parks to see if they can generate enough money from users alone.

He says the $10 a day Discover Passes created by the state last year have so far failed to bring in big revenues.

If state parks can't pay for themselves, the State Parks Director says some parks might have to be run by private corporations or non-profit groups.

Morris says they have one ranger on staff for every 300,000 campers at Birch Bay State Park, and they also utilize a total of 3,000 hours of volunteer work each year.